. >> reporter: in hard hit brick township, new jersey, still recovering from superstorm sandy, nerves are frayed as they prepare again for storm surge. >> just really scared. terrified. >> reporter: at this boston area home depot, a much-needed shipment of ice melt arrived. >> new england tonight is struggling with the worst snowfall in its history. >> reporter: for many here, the looming storm brings back memories of the '78 blizzard, a nor'easter that battered the region 35 years ago this week, dumping as much as 3 feet of snow, killing 100, stranding many more. fred baylist remembers it well. >> it's acal cliche but it was perfect storm, hit right at rush hour, continued and came very fast. >> reporter: officials say they're ready for a wallop, loading sand and salt on to trucks, a fleet that could number 900 strong at the flight of the storm. airlines, 1,100 flights already cancelled. >> we're hardy new englanders, and used to these type of storms. but i also want to remind everyone to use common sense. stay off the streets of our city. basically stay home. >> reporter: the mornin